Key holder



March 5, 1963 H. A. PAVLOWSKI KEY HOLDER Filed July 14, 1961 J Wu FIG.4

INVENTOR. iggNRY A. PAVLOWSKI FIG. 3

WILSON, SETTLE 8x CRAIG ATTORNEYS ilnitecl rates l ag r 3,079,784 KEY HQLJER Heniy A. Eaviowski, 72391 August, Garden fiity, Mich. Filed duly 34, N51, Ser. No. 124,937 6 filnims. (6i. 7d45) This invention relates to a key holder, and more particularly to a pocket key holder for holding one or more keys in a normal sheathed storage condition for carrying in a pocket or purse without the danger of the sharp edges or corners of a key tearing the cloth or injurin the person.

An object of the invention is to provide a key holder for one or more keys in which the key may be retracted to a sheathed storage condition or extended outwardly to a use position.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a key holder in which the key is automatically releasably locked in both the retracted and extended positions upon manual movement of the key to these positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel over-center spring locking mechanism to automatically releasably lock the key in the retracted and extended posi tions.

A further object or": the invention is to provide a key holder constructed of a minimum of parts which may be readily manufactured by standard techniques to provide a low cost structure.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of means for securing keys of diil rent sizes and shapes to the holder .1 echanism.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters esignate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective view of one embodiment of the key holder of the present invention;

FiGURE 2 is a plan Vi w of the key holding mechanism of FIGURE 1 with the outer casing removed and the key shown in the retracted or storage position;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the key holding mechasimilar to FIGURE 2 with the key shown in the extended or use position;

FIGURE 4 is a right end eievational view of the key holding mechanism of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a view in perspective of a key showing the key retaining plate utilized in the key holding mechanism secured to one face of the key head.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawing, it may be seen that the key holder i comprises an outer casing 12 in which is mounted a key holding mechanism 14. The outer casing 12 is fabricated from a plastic material and includes a pair of side walls 16, 13 joined together along one edge by a bottom wall 2% and joined together at the opposite edges by corner members 22, 24. This construction leaves the ends 25, 28 and top 3% open. The open ends permit the insertion of the key holding mechanism 14 into the casing. The open top permits extending the keys 32, 34 outwardly for insertion into a lock.

The key holding mechanism 34 comprises a generally rectangular plate 36 having a length greater than its width ice to accommodate the normally elongated shape of a key. The plate carries two keys 32, 34. However, if desired, the device may be constructed to carry only one key or additional key holding mechanisms may be secured to either the ends or sides to provide for the mounting of more than two keys.

A relatively thick spacer element 38, 4! is secured to each side of the plate 3%? by a plurality of pins 42. The spacers comprise end portions 44, 46 joined together by a longitudinally extending portion 48 to form a recess for the keys. The recess is confi ured to permit clearance for pivoting of the keys.

The spacers 38, serve two functions. One function is to position the plate 36 centrally within the outer casing 12 and fric-tionally secure the key holding mechanism within the outer casing. The second function of the spacer is to provide stop surfaces 59, 51 to limit the pivotal movement of the keys.

The keys are pivotally mounted on a pin 52 which is secured to the plate 36. The pin 52 is mounted adjacent one longitudinal end 54 of the plate and extends outwardly in both directions for the pivotal mounting of two keys.

As shown in FIGURE 5, each key is provided with a retaining plate 56 which is adhesively secured to one face of the key head 58. The keys are of conventional configuration, having an opening 6%) in the head 58 and an elongated lock-engageable member 62 extending therefrom.

The retaining plate 56 has an opening 64 which is in registry with the opening of the key. A pair of tabs 66, 58 are provided on the retaining plate. Each tab extends frcrn the periphery of the retaining plate upwardly along the side of the key and then outwardly in a plane substantially flush with the key face. The tab 66 is provided for securement of an actuating button '76. An opening 72 is provided in the tab to threadingly receive the threaded shank 74 of the button 79. The shank 74 extends through an elongated arcuate opening 76 in the side Wall of the outer casing and terminates in an enlarged head. The button 76 permits manual pivoting of the key. The extent of pivot is determined by the length of the opening 76, the ends of which act as stops. The button 7% also functions to securely hold the key holding mechanism 14 within the outer casing 12.

The second tab 68 on the retaining plate 56 has an opening 73 to receive a rivet 89 for the pivotal attachment of an arm $2, forming part of the key locking mechanism. As will be noted in FIGURE 2, the key 332 is inserted over the pin 52. In the normal retracted position, the outer end of the member 62 rests against the stop surface 5%. The tab 63 is positioned adjacent the end 54 of the plate as and near the outer edge of the plate above the axis of the pivot pin 52. The arm %2 extends across the key and terminates adjacent the edge or" the key. One end of a coil spring 34 is attached, by Jeans of opening 86, to the arm. The other end of the spring 84 extends into engagement with a pin 88 projecting from the plate 36.

When it is wished to extend the key out of the holder, the button it? is moved in the arcuate opening to pivot the key about the pin 52. As shown inFIGURE 3, the key will come to rest in the extended position when the key head abuts against the stop surface 51. As will be appreciated, during pivoting of the key, the arm 82 and spring 84 pass over the longitudinal axis of the pin 52 and come to rest at a point below the pin. The spring 86 thus exerts a force through the lever arm defined by the distance between the rivet and the pin 52. This force keeps the key in the extended position until it is actuated back into the retracted position. When the key is retracted, the spring 80 then exerts a force tending to keep the key in the retracted position.

The key holder thus described may be readily manufactured on a commercially economical basis. The plate 36, retaining plate 56 and arm 82 may be fabricated by stamping using automatic machinery. Alternatively, the platefi and spacers 38, 40 may be molded from plastic as an integral unit. The spring and pin are available as stock items, thus resulting in an overall construction which is of very low cost and admirably suited for such a device which must be distributed as an inexpensive item,

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A key holder comprising a key support structure; a key having a retaining plate'secured thereto; said re taining plate having a tab; said key being pivotally mounted on said support structure; first and second stops to limit the extent of key pivoting to, respectiveiyya use position and a storage position; and tensioning means secured to said tab'and to thesupport structure and exert ing a force'against the tab tending to pivot the key; said tensionin-g means passing over the pivot center of the key during key'pivoting' whereby the force exerted by the tensioning means acts to hold the key against the first stop when the key is in the use position and acts to hold the key against the second stop when the key is in the storage position.

2. A key holder comprising a casing; a key support element received within said casing; a key pivotally mounted on said support element; a tab secured to the key; an arcuate opening in one wall ofthe casing; an actuating member extending through said arcuate opening and into detachable engagement with .said tab whereby to permit manual pivoting of the key; first and second stops to limit the extent of key pivoting to, respectively, a use position and a storage position; and ten'sioning means secured to the key and to the support element and exerting a force against the key tending to pivot the key; said tensioning means passing over the pivot center of the key during key pivoting. whereby the force exerted bythetensioning means acts to hold the key against the first stop when the key is in the use position and acts to hold the keyagainst the second stop when the key is in the storage position.

'3. A key holder comprising a key retainer; a key pivotally mounted on said retainer; first and second stops to limit the extent of key pivoting to, respectively, a use position and a storage position; and tensioning means secured to the key and to the-retainer and exerting a force against the key tending to pivot the key; said tensioning means includingan arm pivotally secured at one end to the key; a coil spring having one of its ends secured to the second end of said arm and its other end secured to said retainer; said arm and coil spring passing over the pivot center of the key during key pivoting whereby the force exerted by the tensioning means acts to hold the key against the first stop when the key is in the use position and acts to hold the key against the second stop when the key is in the storage position.

4. A key holder comprising an elongated casing having a first opening in one wall thereof; a key holding mechanism removably received in said casing; said key holding mechanism including a plate having spacers on one face to position the plate with respect to the casing;'a pinprojecting from the plate; a key pivotally mounted on said pin; said spacers forming first and second stops to limit the extent of key pivoting to, respectively, a use. position with a portion'of the key extended outside said casing through said first opening and a storage-position with the key lying entirely within the casing; first and 4 second tabs secured to the key; a second arcuate opening in the casing; an actuating member extending through said second arcuate opening into detachable engagement with said first tab; manual movement of the actuating member being eiiective to pivot the key; and tensioning means comprising an arm pivotally secured at one end to said second tab; a resilient member secured at one end to the other end of said arm; said resilient member by the force exerted by the tensioning means acts to hold the key against the first stop when the key is in the use. position and acts to hold the key against the second stop when the key is in the storage. position.

5. A key holder comprisingian elongated casing having a first opening in one wall thereof; a key holding mechanism removably received in said casing; said key holding mechanism including a plate having spacers on each face thereof to position the plate centrally in the Casing; a pin projecting in each direction from the faces of the plate; a pair of keys, each mounted on a projecting pin portion on opposite sides of the plate; said spacers forming first and second stops on each side of the plate to limit the extent of key pivoting to, respectively, a use position with a portion of the keys extending outside said casing through said first opening and a storage posiengagement with one of said first tabs; manual movement of an actuating member being effective to pivot the key connected thereto; and tensioning means secured to each key; each of said tensioning means comprising an arm pivotally secured at one end to said second tab; a resilient member secured at one end to the other end of said arm; said resilient member secured at its other end to the key holding mechanism; said tensioning means exerting a force against the key on which it operates tending to pivot the key; each of said tensioning means passing over the pivot center of its respective key during pivoting whereby the force exerted by the tensioning means acts to hold the key upon which it acts against the first stop when the key is in the use position and acts to hold the key against the second stop when the key is in the storage position.

6. A key holder comprising a key retainer; a key pivotally mounted on said retainer; first and second stops to limit the extent of key pivoting to, respectively, a use position and a storage position; a tensioning structure operatively connected to the key retainer and to the References Cited in they file of; this patent UNITED STATES'PATENTS 2,248,436 Rivers July 8, 1941 

1. A KEY HOLDER COMPRISING A KEY SUPPORT STRUCTURE; A KEY HAVING A RETAINING PLATE SECURED THERETO; SAID RETAINING PLATE HAVING A TAB; SAID KEY BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT STRUCTURE; FIRST AND SECOND STOPS TO LIMIT THE EXTENT OF KEY PIVOTING TO, RESPECTIVELY, A USE POSITION AND A STORAGE POSITION; AND TENSIONING MEANS SECURED TO SAID TAB AND TO THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND EXERTING A FORCE AGAINST THE TAB TENDING TO PIVOT THE KEY; SAID TENSIONING MEANS PASSING OVER THE PIVOT CENTER OF THE KEY DURING KEY PIVOTING WHEREBY THE FORCE EXERTED BY THE TENSIONING MEANS ACTS TO HOLD THE KEY AGAINST THE FIRST STOP WHEN THE KEY IS IN THE USE POSITION AND ACTS TO HOLD THE KEY AGAINST THE SECOND STOP WHEN THE KEY IS IN THE STORAGE POSITION. 